A new medical research centre should be set up in the North-East to combat high cancer rates in part of the region, a Labour MP claimed yesterday.

Ashok Kumar, MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, told the Commons how Teesside had a high incidence of cancer.

Dr Kumar, a member of the Commons' science and technology committee, warned how the UK overall was lagging behind other European countries in spending on cancer research.

He cited the committee's recent recommendation for a new generation of centres of excellence across the country dedicated to innovative cancer research.

The MP urged Health Minister Yvette Cooper to realise that Teesside would be a good place for one of the new centres.

Speaking after the Commons debate, he said: ''We have first-class treatment and investigation facilities here already in the shape of the new South Cleveland hospital, plus an academic base in the shape of the University of Teesside and the Stockton campus of Durham University.''

He said the area had ''a high incidence of cancer'' and creating a research centre in the area would be a ''marvellous boost''.